DQ'd but "forwarded on"

I'm hoping for some clarification about something that was told to me on the phone from Dodmerb. We've been hoping for a headache waiver for my D. She's written the letter and we've sent in some medical info. I called yesterday and spoke with someone who told me that after a "quick review by their Dr. she was DQ'd" so it was "forwarded on". Their site isn't updated yet and if we don't see any new information in the next couple of weeks then we should check back with them and she can give me another number to contact.

My question is: Who was this "forwarded on" to? Was she just putting me off and telling me in a nice way that we are going to be hearing bad news? I'm praying this is not the end of the road now after we have all the rest of our ducks in row

Once an applicant has been disqualified by DoDMERB, any additional information that is received by DoDMERB is quickly reviewed to see if it is possible to remove the disqualification. If it is not, all information is then forwarded to the waiver authorities. The waiver authorities are completely separate from DoDMERB.

DoDMERB was not putting you off, they just did not explain it very clearly. They sometimes forget that not everyone understands the process completely. If you contact them again, and they say something that you do not understand 100% let them know! Make sure that you understand what is going on before you get off the phone. If the person who answered the phone does not know the answer, they can always transfer you to someone who does.

Got it! That was my intention- I was so "flustered" (it was the first time I was speaking to them- poor excuse, I know) that I didn't get it clarified. Definitely will be better equipped next time

If I remember from your previous posts the waiver authorities are actually at the service academies? I'm trying to remember the process chain without searching out the forum. If you have time that would be a great thing to post in an FAQ section. Thanks for your great help retnavy

The waiver authorities are not part of the admissions process nor do they fall under the command of the acadmies. Some may have offices on the academy grounds (USMA, USAFA, USCGA), others are elsewhere (USNA, USMMA).

The ROTC programs work similarly with the waiver authorities a separate command.

Once an applicant has been disqualified by DoDMERB, any additional information that is received by DoDMERB is quickly reviewed to see if it is possible to remove the disqualification. If it is not, all information is then forwarded to the waiver authorities. The waiver authorities are completely separate from DoDMERB.

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Confused about "forwarded to the waiver authorities."
Is something supposed to be done to open the appeal with the waiver authority so they know who the applicant is?

"quickly reviewed" --how will you know if they did or did not remove the Dq?

MB530, it depends on which ROTC program or service academy you are applying for. Attached to the disqualification letter is a separate sheet that explains the processes for each program. Some are automatic and some you have to request the waiver.

All the information that DoDMERB has is supplied to the waiver authorities for them to make their decision. Any additional information that DoDMERB receives after the disqualification has been issued will be forwarded to the waiver authorities to assist in their decision making.

If the disqualification is removed by DoDMERB a letter will be sent to the applicant, and the disqualification will be removed from the DoDMERB web site. If no information is received, or the disqualification stays on the web site, then you know the disqualification was not removed.

My son's doctor,with mega-credentials in his field, after submitting the original reports that resulted in the dq, followed up with a very specific letter that included in part

"I can state unequivocally that it is my decided medical opinion that this young man would have no contraindication to full participation in the activities of the US Navy. His examination is entirely normal,his functioning is above normal.The patient is under no restrictions whatsoever."

That letter was just sent so we don't know anything yet.

But my question is how could they not regard this letter as being quite significant?

I'm not sure what you feel is not being look at as significant. The original information that was submitted to DoDMERB? The new information that was just submitted to DoDMERB?

I can assure you that all information that DoDMERB receives is significant and is reviewed.

You have not stated what the disqualification is, and that is fine if you do not wish to state it, your son has a condition that meets one of the many medical conditions that DoDMERB has to issue a disqualification for. As I've stated in my previous posts, DoDMERB works in black and white. If your son has, or even had, a medical condition that is listed in the instructions that DoDMERB goes by, DoDMERB has to issue a disqualification. They do not have an option. So regardless of what the physician has written, depending on the condition, DoDMERB may not have the option of removing the disqualification. In such a case it is up to the waiver authority to make the decision.

I hope this has helped to clear up any confusion. If not, please feel free to let me know.

You are a saint to answer what must be variations of the same questions over and over! Thank you...I'm starting to get this (I think) .

I guess my next question would be this:
I believe there is strong evidence to convince the powers-that-be to change the status.

But from what I read, looks like we're not submitting the case to the right powers-that-be. With your black and white only comment, it seems DoDMERB would never change a status using the "had a medical condition" rule of thumb. Why would one continue to send documentation there instead of moving the case directly to the admissions office or waiver board?

Any medical information that is submitted to the admissions office (BGO's and regional directors do not get involved with the medical portion) will eventually (read very slowly) make its way to DoDMERB.

You would not submit any admissions information to DoDMERB, the same holds true for submitting medical information to admissions. If you had a water main break you wouldn't call the electric company even though they are both utilities.

All medical information should go through DoDMERB. All the information that DoDMERB receives eventually will become the applicants military medical record.

DoDMERB and the waiver authorities are separate entities, but they have a very close working relationship.

Any additional information that DoDMERB receives on an applicant who is disqualified goes through an internal DoDMERB review to see if the disqualification can be removed. If it is a "history of" disqualification DoDMERB can not remove the disqualification unless it can be shown that the applicant actually never had the medical condition and DoDMERB made an error initially. If the disqualification can not be removed, it is forwarded to the waiver authority (or authorities if the applicant has applied for multiple programs) and the waiver authority is notified that there is new information. This is all done electronically, so the waiver authorities get the information with minimal delay.

As I stated before, DoDMERB is black and white, but the waiver authorities are a lot more gray. They have the ability to review all information, including an applicants statements which is why I suggest that every applicant write a letter to the waiver authorities. The waiver authorities can review all the information to decide if a particular medical condition could possibly affect an applicant during his/her 4 years at an academy or ROTC, as well as his/her 20 years of service afterwards.

I hope this has helped to clear up some of the confusion. If not, please ask away!!

If it is a "history of" disqualification DoDMERB can not remove the disqualification unless it can be shown that the applicant actually never had the medical condition and DoDMERB made an error initially. If the disqualification can not be removed, it is forwarded to the waiver authority (or authorities if the applicant has applied for multiple programs) and the waiver authority is notified that there is new information.

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Hi RetNavy:

Sometimes a post will for what ever reason clarify everything and "bring it all together" - you explaining things 2000 different ways patiently like you do and then the 2001st works ...the persistance pays off. Thank you. Yours above is one of those posts for me. I could NOT understand why, if Dodmerb already DQ'd my D to begin with, they would spend 2 more months with her file only to look at her file 2 more times and DQ her again before sending it to the waiver authorities. Jeepers- the above explains it. It does seem like a lot of wasted time to some of us who know that nothing will change during that time
We are still hoping but it starts fading as more and more time passes. Dodmerb was "surprised" that we had not received a letter at the very least so they did finally update her file that they were sending us a DQ letter (another one). Oh joy- NOT. After 2 weeks they told us to call back and they would give us the phone number to contact the waiver authorities directly. Hmmmm.